2. CHASE BANK – 138 E. Wisconsin Avenue – 1920s and earlier. The building was originally the livery stable for the Jones House Hotel which stood on the corner west of here. Later it became the Ocono- mowoc Wooden Toy Horse Company, maker of rocking horses. The Bedford stone classical façade was added in the 1920s. 3. VILLAGE GREEN – Northeast corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Main Street (Hwys. 16 & 67). Several Indian trails crossed here, and until recent times, a hotel occupied the site. The first, the La Belle House, with white frame construction, opened in 1850. It was de- stroyed by fire in 1875, along with other portions of the downtown. In 1887, a second hotel, the Jones House, later called the Majestic Hotel (1915), opened. It had a two-story open porch on two sides with the first floor used for dining and the second floor for hotel guests. In addition, local bands played from the second floor porch for street dances held at the intersection. The buildings on this site played a long and colorful role in city history with a series of hotel owners, name changes and renovations. The last hotel, the Oconomowoc Inn, was condemned and razed in 1975. The Village Green is presently the site of many community activities. 4. FAY BLOCK* – Southeast corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Main Street (105 E. Wisconsin). This triangular building constructed by George W. Fay in 1869 is one of the most iconic sites in the com- munity. Originally constructed of brick, the exterior and interior have been remodeled several times. After an unsuccessful burglary in 1868, Summit Bank, originally located in the Library Complex (#8), moved to this building in 1870 when the building became available. In Septem- ber of 1889, the bank took on a new name, Bank of Oconomowoc, which it maintained until 1984 when it became First Bank of Ocono- mowoc, marking it as the oldest bank in the city. After 115 years at this corner location, the bank moved to its current site one block west. Another name change, First Bank Financial Centre, came in 1998. Throughout its history, the bank has remained an independently owned community bank. The FBFC is the second oldest bank in the state of Wisconsin. 5. MANN BLOCK* – 102-110 N. Main Street – 1871. This three-story Italianate commercial building included areas on the third floor used for an armory, social gatherings, public meetings and theatrical perfor- mances. Note the double-bracketed wood cornice and statuary niche with the date 1871 above on the eastern façade. 6. PETER KLOS SALOON – 125 N. Main Street – 1879. The build- er’s name and date appear near the roofline, which contains an orna- mental brick cornice. This building still serves as a pub. 7. THE TURNAROUND. In the early 1900s, a marine railway was built across N. Main Street at this site. The railway enabled an excursion and mail boat to be portaged across the two hundred foot isthmus between Fowler Lake and Lac La Belle. 8. VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK. A three-story water-powered grist mill was located on the west side of N. Main Street from 1855 to 1935. Also located north of the entrance to Veterans Memorial Park but razed in 1988, were three buildings known as the “Library Complex.” These buildings were considered Oconomowoc’s original downtown business district. Early businesses once housed in these buildings includ- ed a hardware store, a general store, a bank (later City Hall) and a black- smith shop, among others. The Complex also served as the public library/ museum for many years. 9. ZION EPISCOPAL CHURCH – 135 Rockwell Street – 1889. The Romanesque limestone church replaced an earlier brick structure. The land for the church was donated by John S. Rockwell, the “Father of Ocon- omowoc,” who built the grist mill, a dam and the lumber mill in early Ocon- omowoc. The beautiful peninsula setting on the lake is one of the city’s outstanding landmarks. 10. 238 N. LAKE ROAD – 1860. The original structure was remodeled in 1899 by David Gould, a St. Louis millionaire. Inside, the sixteen-room mansion was fitted with eleven fireplaces. The once broad lot had sunken gardens and tennis courts. It has gone through at least two renovations since that time. 11. 307 N. LAKE ROAD – c. 1895. Built by Captain John Scudder from St. Louis, the house has a huge veranda which wraps around the building and makes it appear half again as large. It was known as “Scudder’s Cottage,” and remained in the family until the 1920s when it was pur- chased by Caroline Kohl. At a later period, it was owned by the Freema- sons; the home is now privately owned. Note the exceptional oval window in the triangular gable. 12. 317 N. LAKE ROAD – c. 1889. Built by H. G. Brookings, a St. Louis businessman, the Queen Anne-style mansion was used as a summer home for the family until the 1920s. By 1955 the third floor and part of the second floor had been converted to apartments. The massive three-story octagonal tower has an unusual porch, opening on three sides on the top floor. The coach house in the rear is currently apartments, but the house itself has been restored to a single-family home 13. 318 N. LAKE ROAD – 1882. This was the former site of the Harold Peck mansion. Harold was one of the sons of Madame Peck (#18). He died during construction of the mansion. The home was completed by his widow at a cost of $15,000 and became one of the most expensive man- sions in the area. In 1991 the home was razed, and a condominium built in its place. 14. 333 N. LAKE ROAD – DRAPER HALL. This was formerly the site of a large, rambling hotel with a seven-column colonnade across the front. The columns were three stories tall. Famous guests included Grover Cleveland, Spencer Tracy and Marshall Field. In the 1870s, it had forty-six rooms; later remodeling doubled that number. The hotel passed through several owners and was finally razed in 1967. 15. 404 N. LAKE ROAD – 1874. This was the home of J. C. Hitchcock, who was in the hardware business. The grounds had a large mineral spring which furnished the home with drinking water from cellar to garret. The “Swiss Cottage” home was designed by Milwaukee architect James Douglas, as was its next door neighbor (#16). Both homes have the same floor plan. 16. 412 N. LAKE ROAD – 1881. In 1879 Mr. Martin B. Medbery trans- ferred the property to his wife, Eunice. Built by Mrs. Medbery, this house with its roof and stick-style gable is more typical of Douglas’ work. Henry This walk is a glimpse into Oconomowoc’s past when it was known as the “Newport of the West” - from the 1870s into the 1930s.The area attracted the wealthy from Milwaukee, Chicago, and St. Louis who built palatial summer homes on the lakeshores and arrived by train every summer. Although the elegant lifestyle of that time has changed, and most of the homes are now “year-round homes”, the beauty which attracted people more than a century ago still re- mains. It is fortunate that many of the homes have been preserved and restored. NONE OF THE PRIVATE HOMES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The total walking tour is approximately 2 miles. 1. CITY HALL – 174 E. Wisconsin Avenue – 1886. Designed by Milwaukee architect, George B. Ferry, it was originally the civic center of Oconomowoc and over the years housed City Hall, the police and fire departments and a community auditorium. Dances and plays were held on the second floor, which was later used as a courtroom and as council chambers. The City Council still meets here. The award-winning restoration/expansion of the building was completed in 1983 at a cost of approximately $1.8 million. It presently houses city offices and the police station. The City Hall building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
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2. CHASE BANK – 138 E. Wisconsin Avenue – 1920s and earlier.
The building was originally the livery stable for the Jones House Hotel
which stood on the corner west of here. Later it became the Ocono-
mowoc Wooden Toy Horse Company, maker of rocking horses. The
Bedford stone classical façade was added in the 1920s.
3. VILLAGE GREEN – Northeast corner of Wisconsin Avenue and
Main Street (Hwys. 16 & 67). Several Indian trails crossed here, and
until recent times, a hotel occupied the site. The first, the La Belle
House, with white frame construction, opened in 1850. It was de-
stroyed by fire in 1875, along with other portions of the downtown. In
1887, a second hotel, the Jones House, later called the Majestic Hotel
(1915), opened. It had a two-story open porch on two sides with the
first floor used for dining and the second floor for hotel guests. In
addition, local bands played from the second floor porch for street
dances held at the intersection. The buildings on this site played a long
and colorful role in city history with a series of hotel owners, name
changes and renovations. The last hotel, the Oconomowoc Inn, was
condemned and razed in 1975. The Village Green is presently the site
of many community activities.
4. FAY BLOCK* – Southeast corner of Wisconsin Avenue and
Main Street (105 E. Wisconsin). This triangular building constructed
by George W. Fay in 1869 is one of the most iconic sites in the com-
munity. Originally constructed of brick, the exterior and interior have
been remodeled several times. After an unsuccessful burglary in 1868,
Summit Bank, originally located in the Library Complex (#8), moved to
this building in 1870 when the building became available. In Septem-
ber of 1889, the bank took on a new name, Bank of Oconomowoc,
which it maintained until 1984 when it became First Bank of Ocono-
mowoc, marking it as the oldest bank in the city. After 115 years at this
corner location, the bank moved to its current site one block west.
Another name change, First Bank Financial Centre, came in 1998.
Throughout its history, the bank has remained an independently
owned community bank. The FBFC is the second oldest bank in the
state of Wisconsin.
5. MANN BLOCK* – 102-110 N. Main Street – 1871. This three-story
Italianate commercial building included areas on the third floor used for
an armory, social gatherings, public meetings and theatrical perfor-
mances. Note the double-bracketed wood cornice and statuary niche
with the date 1871 above on the eastern façade.
6. PETER KLOS SALOON – 125 N. Main Street – 1879. The build-
er’s name and date appear near the roofline, which contains an orna-
mental brick cornice. This building still serves as a pub.
7. THE TURNAROUND. In the early 1900s, a marine railway was built
across N. Main Street at this site. The railway enabled an excursion
and mail boat to be portaged across the two hundred foot isthmus
between Fowler Lake and Lac La Belle.
8. VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK. A three-story water-powered grist
mill was located on the west side of N. Main Street from 1855 to 1935.
Also located north of the entrance to Veterans Memorial Park but
razed in 1988, were three buildings known as the “Library Complex.”
These buildings were considered Oconomowoc’s original downtown
business district. Early businesses once housed in these buildings includ-
ed a hardware store, a general store, a bank (later City Hall) and a black-
smith shop, among others. The Complex also served as the public library/
museum for many years.
9. ZION EPISCOPAL CHURCH – 135 Rockwell Street – 1889. The
Romanesque limestone church replaced an earlier brick structure. The
land for the church was donated by John S. Rockwell, the “Father of Ocon-
omowoc,” who built the grist mill, a dam and the lumber mill in early Ocon-
omowoc. The beautiful peninsula setting on the lake is one of the city’s
outstanding landmarks.
10. 238 N. LAKE ROAD – 1860. The original structure was remodeled in
1899 by David Gould, a St. Louis millionaire. Inside, the sixteen-room
mansion was fitted with eleven fireplaces. The once broad lot had sunken
gardens and tennis courts. It has gone through at least two renovations
since that time.
11. 307 N. LAKE ROAD – c. 1895. Built by Captain John Scudder from
St. Louis, the house has a huge veranda which wraps around the building
and makes it appear half again as large. It was known as “Scudder’s
Cottage,” and remained in the family until the 1920s when it was pur-
chased by Caroline Kohl. At a later period, it was owned by the Freema-
sons; the home is now privately owned. Note the exceptional oval window
in the triangular gable.
12. 317 N. LAKE ROAD – c. 1889. Built by H. G. Brookings, a St. Louis
businessman, the Queen Anne-style mansion was used as a summer
home for the family until the 1920s. By 1955 the third floor and part of the
second floor had been converted to apartments. The massive three-story
octagonal tower has an unusual porch, opening on three sides on the top
floor. The coach house in the rear is currently apartments, but the house
itself has been restored to a single-family home
13. 318 N. LAKE ROAD – 1882. This was the former site of the Harold
Peck mansion. Harold was one of the sons of Madame Peck (#18). He
died during construction of the mansion. The home was completed by his
widow at a cost of $15,000 and became one of the most expensive man-
sions in the area. In 1991 the home was razed, and a condominium built in
its place.
14. 333 N. LAKE ROAD – DRAPER HALL. This was formerly the site of
a large, rambling hotel with a seven-column colonnade across the front.
The columns were three stories tall. Famous guests included Grover
Cleveland, Spencer Tracy and Marshall Field. In the 1870s, it had forty-six
rooms; later remodeling doubled that number. The hotel passed through
several owners and was finally razed in 1967.
15. 404 N. LAKE ROAD – 1874. This was the home of J. C. Hitchcock,
who was in the hardware business. The grounds had a large mineral
spring which furnished the home with drinking water from cellar to garret.
The “Swiss Cottage” home was designed by Milwaukee architect James
Douglas, as was its next door neighbor (#16). Both homes have the same
floor plan.
16. 412 N. LAKE ROAD – 1881. In 1879 Mr. Martin B. Medbery trans-
ferred the property to his wife, Eunice. Built by Mrs. Medbery, this house
with its roof and stick-style gable is more typical of Douglas’ work. Henry
This walk is a glimpse into Oconomowoc’s past when it was known as the “Newport of the West” - from the 1870s into the 1930s.The area attracted the wealthy from Milwaukee, Chicago, and St. Louis who built palatial summer homes on the lakeshores and arrived by train every summer. Although the elegant
lifestyle of that time has changed, and most of the homes are now “year-round homes”, the beauty which attracted people more than a century ago still re-mains. It is fortunate that many of the homes have been preserved and restored. NONE OF THE PRIVATE HOMES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The total walking tour is approximately 2 miles.
1. CITY HALL – 174 E. Wisconsin Avenue – 1886. Designed by Milwaukee architect, George B. Ferry, it was originally the civic center of Oconomowoc and over the years housed City Hall, the police and fire departments and a community auditorium. Dances and plays were held on the second floor, which was later used as a courtroom and as council chambers. The City Council still meets here. The award-winning restoration/expansion of the building was completed in 1983 at a cost of approximately $1.8 million. It presently houses city offices and the police station. The City Hall building was placed on the National Register
of Historic Places in 1980.
27. 344 N. OAKWOOD AVENUE – c. 1880. This house belonged to the
Townsend House, a grand hotel, which once stood northwest of the
Oakwood Avenue Bridge, commonly known as the Norwegian Bridge.
The hotel burned in 1901. It had been the summer destination for Chica-
go society and was the scene of many gala social events of the era. This
charming Carpenter Gothic home was used by the hotel as a guest-
house. It originally had no kitchen, because guests took all their meals at
the hotel.
28. OCONOMOWOC DEPOT – 115 Collins Street – 1896. Although
not directly on Fowler Lake, the Depot is noted because it is one of the
most important landmarks of the city. Oconomowoc summer residents,
Albert Earling, President of the Milwaukee Road Co., and Philip D.
Armour, wealthy Chicago meat-packer, were instrumental in having the
Depot built. The old facility, which overlooked the stockyards, was con-
sidered unsuitable for the reception of their distinguished guests. The
Depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It is